"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Friday, May 24th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
- 2:03:34, May 14th 2013 - - Thanks for sharing the trip with us! ... [Read More]
- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
- 11:47:30, May 7th 2013 - EW - ramble.....ramble.....ramble..... ... [Read More]
- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
When music meets the land
Comments
Many people are familiar with the expression “The opera isn’t over until the fat lady sings,” but how about “…until the cow bellows,” or “…until the kitten frolics?” This was the case for 1,500 opera-goers last Sunday at the University of Minnesota’s School of Music production of Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land.
Staged on the old fashioned front porch at the David and Lori Bakke farm in rural Lanesboro, the outdoor production showed off Fillmore County’s best. Seated on chairs throughout the Bakke’s lawn, the audience was treated to picture perfect views of rolling farmland and a warm summer’s breeze. Local youth organizations worked the aisles, keeping the crowd well supplied with cool drinks, homemade pie, fresh cookies and other goodies.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENT Eleanor Taylor sings a touching song about her emotions surrounding graduation day as she portrays Laurie Moss in The Tender Land. Photo by Jill O’Neill
Music and landscape meshed together during the two-hour show. Cattle seemed to bellow on cue from their spring pasture. The powerful, melodic voices of nine University students captivated the audience as they sang Copland’s snappy, yet touching melodies. Intricate sounds from the thirteen-piece student orchestra hovered in the summer air. Midway through the production the Bakke’s black and white kitten “Tiger” took a place on stage, winning the audience’s heart with his antics. All told, the atmosphere was relaxing and comfortable—just like life in Southeast Minnesota.
Set on a Midwestern farm, The Tender Land tells the story of a farm family dealing with life changing events and decisions. The night before her high school graduation, the family’s daughter, Laurie, falls in love with a drifter who has been doing odd jobs on the farm. To complicate matters, the drifter and his friend are falsely accused of attacking some young girls in the county. Laurie makes plans to run off with the drifters, who have been asked to leave the farm by daybreak. She is devastated when she learns that they stole off in the night without her and decides to leave home anyway. Laurie’s mother turns to her youngest daughter, Beth, for answers and finds hope in the continuous cycle of life.
Eleven year old Marguerite Abrahamson of rural Lanesboro did an outstanding job at portraying the young farm girl Beth. She opened and closed the production in two touching scenes and maintained her character well throughout the show. A thirty-four member community chorus took center stage during act two, performing a song and dance about the ways of rural life. The audience gave the cast and orchestra a standing ovation before returning to Lanesboro by shuttle bus.
The travelling opera troupe rested up Sunday night in Lanesboro before heading to Des Moines, Iowa for their third of seven performances throughout the Midwest. Several Lanesboro residents opened their homes to host the University performers. Project director, Linda Fisher reported that the tour couldn’t have gotten off to a more perfect start. “Lanesboro has been very welcoming,” said Fisher. “The students are always a bit reticent about going into peoples’ homes, but they told me this morning that they are being treated like royalty.”
The Tender Land will show in Des Moines, IA; Algona, IA; Pipestone/Ihlen, MN; Renville County, MN; New Rockford, ND and Red Lake Falls, MN between now and June 24. The opera is directed by Akira Mori and Vern Sutton, both from the University of Minnesota.
Staged on the old fashioned front porch at the David and Lori Bakke farm in rural Lanesboro, the outdoor production showed off Fillmore County’s best. Seated on chairs throughout the Bakke’s lawn, the audience was treated to picture perfect views of rolling farmland and a warm summer’s breeze. Local youth organizations worked the aisles, keeping the crowd well supplied with cool drinks, homemade pie, fresh cookies and other goodies.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENT Eleanor Taylor sings a touching song about her emotions surrounding graduation day as she portrays Laurie Moss in The Tender Land. Photo by Jill O’Neill
Music and landscape meshed together during the two-hour show. Cattle seemed to bellow on cue from their spring pasture. The powerful, melodic voices of nine University students captivated the audience as they sang Copland’s snappy, yet touching melodies. Intricate sounds from the thirteen-piece student orchestra hovered in the summer air. Midway through the production the Bakke’s black and white kitten “Tiger” took a place on stage, winning the audience’s heart with his antics. All told, the atmosphere was relaxing and comfortable—just like life in Southeast Minnesota.
Set on a Midwestern farm, The Tender Land tells the story of a farm family dealing with life changing events and decisions. The night before her high school graduation, the family’s daughter, Laurie, falls in love with a drifter who has been doing odd jobs on the farm. To complicate matters, the drifter and his friend are falsely accused of attacking some young girls in the county. Laurie makes plans to run off with the drifters, who have been asked to leave the farm by daybreak. She is devastated when she learns that they stole off in the night without her and decides to leave home anyway. Laurie’s mother turns to her youngest daughter, Beth, for answers and finds hope in the continuous cycle of life.
Eleven year old Marguerite Abrahamson of rural Lanesboro did an outstanding job at portraying the young farm girl Beth. She opened and closed the production in two touching scenes and maintained her character well throughout the show. A thirty-four member community chorus took center stage during act two, performing a song and dance about the ways of rural life. The audience gave the cast and orchestra a standing ovation before returning to Lanesboro by shuttle bus.
The travelling opera troupe rested up Sunday night in Lanesboro before heading to Des Moines, Iowa for their third of seven performances throughout the Midwest. Several Lanesboro residents opened their homes to host the University performers. Project director, Linda Fisher reported that the tour couldn’t have gotten off to a more perfect start. “Lanesboro has been very welcoming,” said Fisher. “The students are always a bit reticent about going into peoples’ homes, but they told me this morning that they are being treated like royalty.”
The Tender Land will show in Des Moines, IA; Algona, IA; Pipestone/Ihlen, MN; Renville County, MN; New Rockford, ND and Red Lake Falls, MN between now and June 24. The opera is directed by Akira Mori and Vern Sutton, both from the University of Minnesota.